Window assembly for buildings in seismic zones

ABSTRACT

A window assembly ( 10 ) with its glazing frame that stays independently from lateral movement of building main structure ( 44 ) is disclosed. The window assembly includes an outer retaining frame ( 12 ) and an inner glazing frame ( 14 ). The retaining frame is attached to the building main structure. The glazing frame holds glass pane ( 20 ), and sits inside the retaining frame. Between the retaining frame and the glazing frame is a predetermined clearance space (X) and (Y), at their vertical edges and their top edge. The resulting window assembly allows the glazing frame to stay in its shape, while the retaining frame moves laterally with the main structure during earthquakes or blasts, thereby minimizing the chance of glass breakage. Application of glazing gasket ( 32 ) or sealant ( 54 ) provides watertight result to the window assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to window assemblies, specifically to such assemblies that are used in buildings in seismic zones or in buildings designed to withstand a blast.

[0002] Window assemblies in buildings are commonly installed by fastening, bolting or welding of the window frame onto the building main structure.

[0003] Seismic movement creates story drift in buildings, which is the lateral displacement of one level relative to the level below or above. This causes lateral movement to the building main structure and the attached window frame.

[0004] The lateral movement of the window frame causes it to crush the glass panes in the window. Without adequate clearance space for the movement, the glass in window might break during a strong earthquake. The chance for glass breakage is greater in larger and taller glass panes, because they are affected by greater lateral displacement. However, large glass panes are highly desirable in many facilities including air traffic control tower cabs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is for a window assembly that has predetermined clearance spaces within the assembly, to allow for lateral displacement of the window frame, in order to minimize the chance of glass breakage. The window assembly includes an outer retaining frame and an inner glazing frame. The retaining frame is attached to building main structure by any of the common methods, and is expected to move laterally with the building main structure during earthquakes. The glazing frame holds glass pane and sits inside the retaining frame. Between the two frames are the predetermined clearance spaces to allow the glazing frame to stay in its shape, while the retaining frame moves as described, without crushing the glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0006] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

[0007]FIG. 1A shows a front elevational view of a window assembly made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 1A' shows an enlarged front elevational view of the lower right corner of the window assembly, which is illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0009]FIG. 2A shows a cross sectional view of the window assembly, taking along line 2-2 in FIG. 1A;

[0010]FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of the window assembly, taking along line 3-3 in FIG. 1A;

[0011]FIG. 4A shows a cross sectional view of the window assembly, taking along line 4-4 in FIG. 1A; and

[0012]FIG. 5A shows a cross sectional view of the window assembly, taking along line 5-5 in FIG. 1A.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0013]10 window assembly

[0014]12 retaining frame

[0015]14 glazing frame

[0016]20 glass pane

[0017]22 glazing channel

[0018]24 screw race

[0019]26 setting block

[0020]28 glazing tape

[0021]30 dart spacer

[0022]32 silicone sealant

[0023]33 sill retaining bracket fixed half

[0024]34 sill retaining bracket

[0025]35 sill retaining bracket removable half

[0026]36 header retaining bracket

[0027]37 header retaining bracket fixed half

[0028]38 fastener

[0029]39 header retaining bracket removable half

[0030]40 jamb retaining bracket

[0031]41 jamb retaining bracket fixed half

[0032]42 fastener

[0033]43 jamb retaining bracket removable half

[0034]44 building main structure

[0035]46 mullion retaining plate

[0036]47 mullion retaining tee bar

[0037]48 fastener

[0038]50 sealant spacer

[0039]52 shim

[0040]54 sealant

[0041]56 gasket

[0042]58 end block

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1A, illustrated is an elevational view of a window assembly 10 made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A retaining frame 12 is made of a metal or another suitable material. A glazing frame 14 is also made of a metal or another suitable material. A glass pane 20 is made of sheet glass or other suitable materials.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2A, illustrated is a cross-sectional view of the windowsill. Glass pane 20 is glazed in glazing channel 22 by one of the common glazing methods of the trade. A pair of setting blocks 26 are placed in between the glass bottom edge and glazing channel 22. Compatible glazing tape 28 and dart spacer 30 are placed in between glass pane 20 and glazing channel 22, providing space for silicone sealant 32 on both sides of the glass. Glazing channel 22 runs continuously around the perimeter of glass pane 20, and has mitered joints at corners. The mentioned components form a glazing frame 14, which is placed inside a retaining frame 12. At windowsill, retaining bracket 34 is part of retaining frame 12. Retaining bracket 34 runs continuously, and is fastened or welded to building main structure 44.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3A, illustrated is a cross-sectional view of the window head. Between retaining frame 12 and glazing frame 14 is a predetermined clearance space Y. Sealant spacer 50 is place between glazing channel 22 and header retaining bracket 36. Sealant 54 runs continuously on the exterior edges to seal gap between retaining frame 12 and glazing frame 14.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 4A, illustrated is a cross-sectional view of the window jamb. Between retaining frame 12 and glazing frame 14 is a predetermined clearance space X. Sealant 56 runs continuously on four sides to water seal between retaining frame 12 and building main structure 44.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5A, illustrated is a cross-sectional view of the window mid-mullion. Between retaining plate 46 and glazing frame 14 is a predetermined clearance space X. Retaining plate 46, which is part of retaining frame 12, is fastened to building main structure 44 by fastener 48. Between main building structure 44 and glazing frame 14 is shim 52, which is made of neoprene or another suitable material.

[0048] Operation

[0049] Seismic movement creates story drift, which is the lateral displacement of one level relative to level below or above, in an affected building. This causes lateral movement to the building main structure 44, which moves retaining frame 12 in the same manner since the two are attached. When this occurs, sealant 54 is expected to shear off, allowing glazing frame 14 to stay in its shape, while retaining frame 12 moves laterally with building main structure 44, thereby minimizing the chance of glass breakage. Sealant 54 is replaceable and kept at minimal for its water sealing function only, not for structural bonding purpose. Clearance space X and clearance space Y are predetermined to sufficiently withstand the computed lateral movement, which is caused by an earthquake or a blast.

[0050] Additional Embodiments

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1A', an end block 58 is placed between glazing frame 14 and retaining frame 12 at each lower corner. This additional embodiment does not affect the operation of the window assembly, as disclosed as above.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2C, glazing frame 14 is attached to retaining frame 12 along their lower edges, where glazing frame 14 sits on retaining frame 12. This additional embodiment does not affect the operation of the window assembly, as disclosed as above.

[0053] Alternative Embodiments

[0054]FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C show alternative embodiments to the preferred embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 1A.

[0055]FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C show alternative embodiments to the preferred embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 2A.

[0056]FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C show alternative embodiments to the preferred embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 3A.

[0057]FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C show alternative embodiments to the preferred embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 4A.

[0058]FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C show alternative embodiments to the preferred embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 5A. 

I claim:
 1. A window assembly comprises of an outer retaining frame and an inner glazing frame with predetermined clearance spaces between the two frames in order to allow said inner glazing frame to stay in its shape while said outer retaining frame moves laterally with building main structure during earthquakes or blasts, wherein said inner glazing frame holds glass pane and sits inside said outer retaining frame that is attached to said building main structure.
 2. A window assembly of claim 1, further comprising two end blocks, one of each is placed in between said retaining frame and said glazing frame at each lower corner, said end blocks are made of neoprene or a suitable material.
 3. A window assembly of claim 1, further comprising an attachment between said glazing frame and said retaining frame at their lower edges only.
 4. A window assembly of claim 1, with said retaining frame comprises of two parts, one of which is fixed to the main building structure, the other part is removable from said fixed part to facilitate installation and re-glazing, said two parts can be engaged to provide an adjustable glazing pocket for different glass thickness.
 5. A window assembly of claim 1, with the omission of the inner framing around the glass pane, when thicker glass or polycarbonate sheet or acrylic sheet is used.
 6. A window assembly of claim 1, further comprising glazing gaskets or sealants to produce a watertight window assembly.
 7. A window assembly of claim 1, having any shape including rectangle. 